'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saints Pontian, Pope, & Hipplolytus, Priest, Martyrs (died 235), respectively eighteenth (XVIII) Bishop of Rome (230-235) & the inaugural Antipope (217-235), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Maximinus Thrax, in his persecution: Martyrs-link ūnus & Martyrs-link duo; Martyr-link Papa ūnus, Martyr-link Papa duo, & Wikipedia-link Papa; & Martyr-link Hotel & Wikipedia-link Hotel; Pontifex-link & Wikipedia-link Pontifex; Antipope-link & Wikipedia-link Antipope; & Persecutions-link & Wikipedia-link Persecution.
Commentary: Wayback Machine.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Maximus the Confessor, Abbot (circa 580-662, of Constantinople; A.K.A. the Theologian), abbot at Chrysopolis, persecuted & physically mutilated in the reign of the Byzantine emperor Constans II as foe of the Monothelite heresy: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Heresy-link & Wikipedia-link Monothelitism.
'Tis also the festival of Blesseds Patrick O'Hely, Bishop, & Conn O'Rourke, Priest, Martyrs, O.F.M. (died 1579, in the Irish: Pádraig Ó hÉilí, Conn Ó Ruairc), Bishop of Mayo (1576-1579), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, two of the Irish Martyrs: Martyr-link Papa Oscar, Martyr-link Charlie Oscar, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Mayo; & Martyrs-link Éire & Wikipedia-link Éire.
'Tis also the festival of Blessed William Freeman, Priest & Martyr (circa 1558-1595), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Jan Berchmans, Religious, S.J. (1599-1621, Anglicized as John): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Tis also the festival of Blessed Jakob Gapp, Priest & Martyr, S.M. (1897-1943), martyred in the reign of the Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Ezekiel, chapter twelve, verses one thru twelve;
Psalm Seventy-eight (R/. see: seven[b]), verses fifty-six & fifty-seven, fifty-eight & fifty-nine, & sixty-one & sixty-two;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eighteen, verse twenty-one thru chapter nineteen, verse one.
Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches the necessity of constant forgiveness. Forgiveness is an act and not an attitude. It is the active repairing of a broken relationship, even in the face of opposition, violence, or indifference. When a relationship is severed, each party should, in justice, do his part to reestablish the bond.Video reflection by Father Roger Lopez, O.F.M. (U.S.C. of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.
Forgiveness is the bearing of the other person’s burden, moving toward him, even when he refuses to move an inch toward you. There is something relentless, even aggressive, about forgiveness, since it amounts to a refusal ever to give up on a relationship. Simon Peter asks Jesus, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus replies: “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” Christians should never cease in our efforts to establish love.
Jesus’ own startling practice of forgiving the sins of others emerges as one of the distinctive and most controversial elements in his ministry. And both rhetoric and practice reach their fullest expression when the crucified Jesus asks the Father to forgive those who are torturing him to death. We speak the truth because Jesus is the Truth; we forgive because he forgave.
Video reflection by Becket Ghioto (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Daily Reflection.
Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of Ss. Pontian & Hippolytus
The First Letter of Peter, chapter four, verses twelve thru nineteen;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-four (R/. seven), verses two & three, four & five, & seven & eight;
The Gospel according to John, chapter fifteen, verses eighteen thru twenty-one.
Scripture Study—Pierced Hands Bible Reading Plan: Day 11
The Book of Genesis, chapter twenty (verses one thru eighteen);
The Book of Genesis, chapter twenty-one (verses one thru thirty-four);
Psalm Eleven (verses one thru seven);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter five, verses thirty-eight thru forty-eight.
Commentary: Abraham & Sarah at Gerar (Genesis, 20:1-18), the Birth of Isaac (Genesis, 21:1-7), Hagar & Ishmael Sent Away (Genesis, 21:8-21), & Abraham & Abimelech Make a Covenant (Genesis, 21:22-34); Song of Trust in God (Psalm 11); & Concerning Retaliation (Matthew, 5:38-42) & Love for Enemies (Matthew, 5:43-48).
Scripture Study—Pierced Hands Bible Reading Plan: Day 12
The Book of Genesis, chapter twenty-two (verses one thru twenty-four);
Psalm Twelve (verses one thru eight);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter six, verses one thru eighteen.
Commentary: God Tests Abraham (Genesis, 22:1-19) & the Children of Nahor (Genesis, 22:20-24); Plea for Help in Evil Times (Psalm 12); & Concerning Almsgiving (Matthew, 6:1-4), Concerning Prayer (Matthew, 6:5-15), & Concerning Fasting (Matthew, 6:16-18).
Scripture Study—Day 91: Decapitation Rock, Day 11
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter fifteen, verses thirty thru thirty-seven.
Commentary: David Flees from Jerusalem (cont'd; 2 Samuel, 15:30-31) & Hushai Becomes David's Spy (2 Samuel, 15:32-37).
Papal Quote o' the Day
"Whenever you help a sick person, you are a sign of Christ's compassion for all who suffer."Saint Quote o' the Day
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, r. 1978-2005; feast: 22 October)
"When you do a good action, have the intention of first pleasing God, & then of giving good example to your neighbor."Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day
—St. Alponsus Ligouri, C.Ss.R., Doctor of the Church (1696-1787, feast: 1 August)
"God told us, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' So first I am to love myself rightly, & then to love my neighbor like that. But how can I love myself unless I accept myself as God has made me? Those who deny that beautiful difference between men & women are not accepting themselves as God has made them, & so cannot accept & love their neighbor. They will only bring division, unhappiness, & destruction of peace to the world."Archbishop Sheen Quote o' the Day
—St. Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)
"If we are to find a total explanation of what is wrong with man, it must be sought within man himself. When we see a monkey acting crazily in a zoo, we do not say, 'Oh, do not act like a nut.' But when we see a man acting foolishly we say, 'Don’t act like a monkey.' You see, a monkey cannot stoop lower than itself, but man can. Because man is spirit as well as matter, he can descend to the level of beasts, though never so completely as to destroy the image of God that is in his soul. It is this possibility that allows the peculiar tragedy of man. Man would never be frustrated, he would never have an anxiety complex, if he were an animal & if he were made just for this world. Because of that summit, that peak, that desire for perfect happiness which he does not attain, he can become the seat of conflict."
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)
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